Father Christmas: A Holiday Horrors Short Story

by Kay Elem

Welcome to Holiday Horrors, a multi-author collection of standalone thriller and horror short stories. In this series, you'll question whether Christmas is about Santa's Sleigh... or Santa's Slay. What holiday nightmares keep you up at night?Elle never thought she’d come home again, not after what happened. But when her father’s dementia worsens, duty drags her back to the old house filled with spirits, snowflakes, and secrets.

Walter Clauss was a fixture in Bethlehem, the town’s beloved Father Christmas for over two decades. But as his mind deteriorates, Elle begins to suspect that the jolly persona he shared with the world may have been a mask hiding something far darker.

Now, with snow falling and her father slipping between memory and madness, Elle must uncover what’s real, what’s imagined, and what’s been waiting for her all along.

Make sure you check out all of the Holiday Horrors Collection!

56 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2025

About the author

Hi! I’m Kay — debut author, full-time chaos coordinator, and frequent re-heater of coffee. I love writing stories that make you feel something. My characters are real to me, and when you’re inside one of my books, I hope they feel real to you too.

When I’m not writing or rewriting, I’m chasing after my (occasionally feral) family, teaching exercise classes, or pretending I folded the laundry.

If you love twisty stories with heart, you’re in the right place. 💀📚❤️

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBNS12RF

Reviews

[Lisa Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great short story. I received this as an ARC and was pleasantly surprised with how enjoyable it was. It took a classic Christmas tale of Santa checking his list and turned it into a short horror story. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer. This could've easily been a full novel.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father Christmas by Kay Elem is a holiday horror novella that is part of a holiday horror series composed of many different authors.

It’s short , gripping and twisted.

Elle’s dad wasn’t the best growing up and after Elle leaves and makes a new life for herself, her dad’s caretaker calls to inform her that his dementia is getting worse and he needs to be in a home. Coming home has brought back many haunting memories for her as she tries to simply survive this time until her dad is placed in the assisted living facility. But as Elle’s childhood terrors and memories collide with her present she can’t escape the eerie feeling that her dad’s dementia hides sinister secrets. Will she be able to in fact survive this time or will her curiously get the best of her.

Santa’s making a list and checking it twice. He’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice!

This was a short read that held my attention from the beginning and I could NOt put it down anticipating what was going to happen next. That ending wasn’t what I expected and it was a fun read!!!

I recommend this to anyone who just wants a quick short in between read. The story is dark so please make sure you are ok with the themes.

Thanks for an advanced copy prior to release. I truly enjoyed it!!

Please run to read this! Release date is 12/5/25!

[Jenn Honkofsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely did not end up where I thought it would. It was a good story, although sometimes a little confusing, but it always brings you back on track. The overall story was intriguing and will keep you wanting to find out more. I feel bad for Elle throughout, but for good reason after getting closer to the end. I would recommend reading it; the only thing causing me to give it four stars is the confusion aspect.

[Laura Welsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chilling is all I have to say! Elle is heading home to Bethlehem to help move her father into a home as his dementia is not allowing him to live alone anymore. He morphed into Santa after her mom died, and it strained their relationship as he was obsessed.
She realized there was a lot more going on than just playing Santa!

I enjoyed the story, though it's tough to read about a character with dementia, as it is something that can hit close to home at points.

[Ashleigh Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one gave me the heebie jeebies!

I was lucky enough to be able to read an advanced copy of Father Christmas and it's quite the creepy take on the naughty or nice list. A father who believes he's Santa...definitely creating some childhood trauma there.

He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake!

A great short story for the holidays. Make sure to give it a read.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an arc of this book and man! My mind was blown. I finished this in one sitting and wanted more. The twists and turns were great! I was so hooked and am still trying to process what I even read 😂 My heart hurt a bit for Elle, I felt like I was truly in this book and going through the motions with her. Great short story!!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Twisted Holiday Delight: Thrills, Suspense, and a Naughty List You Won't Forget.... 🎄😈

​This short story is a chill bump thrilling read, bringing togther the holiday season with genuine, high-stakes suspense. The narrative features shockingly terrifying twists that are genuinely surprising and keep the reader hooked from the very first page. The pacing is pitch-perfect for a short-form thriller, but the concept is so captivating that I was instantly left wishing for a full-length novel. If you are looking for an unforgettable, fast-paced Holiday thriller, this is a mandatory addition to your reading list!

So thankful to be a part of the ARC team for this authors book!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC Review*
This Christmas thriller novella has such an interesting and unique premise. I loved it. It was fast paced, held my intrigue the whole time! This is the second novella I’ve read from Kay Elem and look forward to reading many more!

[Anna M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father Christmas is a bit of a slow burn thriller - taking its time to speed up but once it gets going the story is overall enjoyable and a little twisted. You follow Elle as she has to return home to aid in placing her father in a home. The turn the story takes from there is worth a read!

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Father Christmas” by Kay Elm is a suspenseful and unsettling entry in the Holiday Horrors collection. As a father’s dementia worsens, his daughter is forced to confront the chilling line between what’s real and what’s imagined. The story is layered with secrets, tension, and creeping dread, making every moment feel haunting. A gripping read perfect for fans of emotional, psychological horror.

[Crystal O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dementia is always an evil sickness that claims so many memories and life experiences for people and those they love, but what about Santa's naughty list? Better watch out because Father Christmas will make sure you pay for your naughtiness. #holidayhorrors

[Tanya Kolb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little story is a great read! I will never see Santa the same again! I loved the ending.

[Jine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short and quick read but very interesting
It’s a story of a girl who comes home to help her ailing father who has dementia and believes he is Santa Claus! It takes a creepy turn when he’s keeping a nice and naughty list! If was a good read

[Caitlyn Daviau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely not what I expected but I thought it ended well

[Heather York · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good the plot twist was something I never expected. I wanted more story development but overall its a nice little stort.

[Scarlet · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever wondered what would happen if Santa lost his marbles, this is the novella for you. Hallmark meets horror in the best of ways. I would highly recommend to anyone who would like a horror Christmas Read to start off the holiday spirit this year. Hot Cocoa, Santa's Workshop, and a daughter returning home sounds cozy doesn't it but is it truly as cozy as it seems...

[Angela Pogue · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a quick read that held some twists I did not expect!

[Jacquelyn Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this short story as an ARC. It's a quick and interesting read. I was a bit surprised by the end. I didn't think this story was a horror, there were no gory scenes. When I think of horror, I think blood, guts, and torture. I would love to read more by Kay Elem.

[Crystal Sherman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise of this story and there was enough background of Elle to better understand what was happening. I like the story and thought it was well done especially the twist at the end. Thanks for letting me read it.

[Alesa Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did not see the ending coming.

Deals with dementia and secrets. Good, quick read!

[Annette Cates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, I love the mix of Christmas and Horror. I will not give spoilers but I really liked how it was written. I recommend this book as I've never read anything like this.

I was chosen to be an ARC reader for this book as a part of the Holiday Horrors short story collection.

[Brad & · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written novella. It had a twist i wasn't expecting and overall was very well done. I was able to read it in a short span.

[Candy Turk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great novella!! This is the first from this author and I really enjoyed it! Definitely recommend!!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Father Christmas is a haunting holiday tale that unwraps family dysfunction beneath the glow of Christmas lights. When a young woman returns home to help with her aging father—whose obsession with being Santa has crossed from endearing to eerie—she finds that the past holds more than just nostalgia. Secrets will unravel…. And spiral into chaos that you’ll love.

[Carrie McKinney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, quick read. I always wish for the novellas to be a little longer to be able to give a little more of a “complete” short story

[Nikki B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father Christmas is a short holiday horror story that is a great creepy story.
Elle returns to her home town to take care of her father who is suffering from dementia. He had been the towns beloved Father Christmas for over two decades and in his deteriorating state, he believes he is Santa Claus. He is also making his naughty and nice list and he doesn't have a pleasant way of handling the naughty ones! The story left me wanting a little more, but it was a great short horror.

[Country · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read! It turns the cute childhood story of Santa checking his list in to a horror story and I loved it! I didn't not expect how it ended or the twist at the end at all!

[Danielle Fear · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

Kay Elem is another author i have only just had the pleasure of reading for the first time and o m g my tbr is getting waaaay too long now!!

Father Christmas brings Daddy issues to a whoooole new level and I am here for it!! Kays depiction of family struggles and the horrific battle that dementia can bring is truly exceptional in such a short book.

Would highly recommend!